Insulator



F, SCHAUB INSULAT Nov. 20, 1923 Filed May 21, 1920 u 42M 4 1 Z 9 WITNESSES.

Br W v =5 ATTORNEYS f Patented Nov. 20, 1923.

-TE YrsTAT S PATENT O FFICE.

mamma SCHAUB, for" .i RsEY CITY, NEW mnsny n'nnnmr'ra w. scmwn Ex.

' nourmx or sAIn rmtnmai'vn sermon, DECEASED.

msum'ron.

Application filed May 21, 1920. Seria1 l7o.;3 BS,'109.

10 porting conductors for electric current Heretofor insulators of the class referred to haveusually beenin the formof cleats or knobs,the conductors being held in seats provided'inthe cleats or knobs which-using ally comprise two sections, a'base section and a capor head section. Taking the knob, for instance, the-baseandcap sections. were centrally apertured, each embodyingv a complementahgroove wl1ich, when the twof sections-were-mounted upon a support, by 'meansof a nail, screw or the like passing throughthecentral apertures therein, regis-u tered to form the conductor seat. 1 The pressure for holding the conductor withinitheseat wasobtained" through the mediumxof the nail," screw or the like, ;by "means ofwhiclr the sections were held 'togetl'ier and on the support. These two-part insulators havebeen found to be objectionable, owing tothe time consumed in assembly, since it is obvious that the centrally located apertures must be aligned which is also true'of the half seat grooves. Furthermore, a considerable amount of breakage-occurs in the handlingand installation of these insulators by reason oflack of skill or carelessness 3n the part of those making the installations.

" To overcome the disadvantages. of the type of insulators described, it has been 40 proposed to provide some -means whereby the insulator sections could be assembled prior tokinstallation. One method followed,

foninstance', consisted in seating the nail,

screwor other securing, means in the registering central aperturesof the base and cap sections and forcin r over the shank or extending portion of t e mail or screw a sleeve which was formed to frictionally engage the nail o1 screwshank at some point thereon to to enable the sections to be separated a sulficientidistanceto seatthe conductor therebetween. The diameter of this sleeve'wa s greaterthan thatof the central aperture in the base; section, so that afterthe location .of the sleeve upon theShank ofthe nail or screw, the components of the insulator'couldnot he accidentally disassembled. Other expedients along the same lines embody the I useof a flat washer in frictiona'l engagement awith'lthe'shank of the nail or screw and movable within the recess of the base section or a flat washer or disk in Contact with the flat washer or disk on the nail or-screw shank in cont-act with thelowere'dgeofjthe" base section, in each instance the nail or screw-being capable of longitudinal movement through the securing medium so'that surface;

it could "be embedded .in" the supporting has been found that thehmeans ior' IntLlIltfiH'llDg. the insulator sections in as sembled relation do not'wholly overcome the objections toth'e form of insulator which 1t is necessary to assemble on the work. The

addit-ion ot the securing-medium adds to the expenseof, production, not only'i-n material but in labor; and in installation the complemental', groovesof the sections forming the conductor seats must be brought into alignment before the nail or other mounting'device" is driven home 'or embedded in the supporting surface. If the portions of the conductor seats are not aligned,obviously breakage of one or the other, or bothyof the insulator sections will result.

The present invention is designed toovercome many of the defects and disadvantages of the types ofinsulatorsheretofore re erred toyin' a simple and economical manner,fall'of th'eadvantages of an assembledinsulator as'now constructed being re tained, "the advantages being-"multiplied by features "of construction which could not be obtained in the prior art.

".The primary object of my invention is to provide an insulator made "in one piece or in sections united to form anintegral structure which will have portions corresponding generallyto :the base and 'cap sections of the usual form of insulator, the

componentsot' the conductor seatbeingat all times in registering IGlLLtlOIL' A. further object of myv inventionis to provide an insulator, asaforesaid, wherein the portions corresponding tothe base and cap of the usual insulator are spaced apart substantially throughout their entire opposing surfaces, whereby the conductor may be instantly located in its seat without manipulation of the insulator parts to bring the haltseat-grooves in alignment.

Another object of my invention is to provide a means for mounting the insulator upon a suitable supporting surface, wh ch means may comprise a nail or screw passlng through the insulator and surface or element to render its accidental removal from the insulator impossible, so that the insulator and the attaching means, such as a screw or nail or the like, may be sold or distributed as a complete unit ready for installation.

My invention further contemplates an insulator possessing the aforesaid advantages and characteristics, in which the functioning of the portions within which the grooves forming the conductor seats are located s accomplished in the usual manner, that is, by the pressure imposed upon the portion corresponding to the cap of a two part 111- sulator by embedding or locating the attaching means in the supporting surface.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become manifest as the description proceeds, and I would have it understood that I reserve unto myself the full range of equivalents, both in structure and uses, to which I may be entitled under my invention in its broadest aspect.

I shall now proceed to describe my invention with reference to certain preferred embodiments which I have elected to show in the accompanying drawings, and will then point out with more particularity the essential elements of novelty residing therein in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of an insulator made in accordance with my invention looking in a direction longitudinally of the conductor seat;

Fig. 2 is a view similar transversely of the conductor seat;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, illustrating the position of the insulator components when in functioning relation to a conductor;

Fig. 4 and 5 are respectively sectional views of fragments of the insulator shown in Fig. 3, illustrating means whereby the to Fig. 1, looking attaching devices are secured against accidental removal from the insulator;

Fig, 6 is a sectional elevation, looking in a direction longitudinally of the conductor seats, of a so-called insulator of the wedge-type made in accordance with my invention; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 illus' trating the manner in which the conductor is held in position when the insulator is in functioning condition.

provided with a Referring now to the drawings in detail, in which like characters of reference are employed to designate similar parts throughout the several views, 7 indicates the base or SHPPOl'tlIlg portion of the insulater which is recessed at 8 and formed with the usual central aperture 9 and semi-annular groove 10 forming one-half of the conductor seat. Superposed upon the base portion 7 and connected thereto by the wall 11 is the top or cap portion of the insulator designated by the reference character 12. The said cap or top portion 12 is formed with the usual semi-annular groove 13 adapted to re ister with the roove 10 in the base mein er 7 to form the conductor seat.

It will be observed that the portions 7 and 12 of my improved insulator correspond to the ase and cap sections of the commonly known two-piece insulator of the knob type, the function of the members 7 and 12 being the same as in the latter.

In the production'of an insulator made in accordance with my invention, the base and cap members 7 and 12, respectively, are united or joined together by the aforesaid wall 11 in a manner whereby the cap 12 will be spaced from the upper surface of the base portion 7 and will referably lie in a plane inclined upwar 1y from the point or surface of joinder with the said base portion. (See Figs. 1 and 2). This allows a space between the opposed surfaces 7 and 12 of the members 7 and 12, respectively, large enough to permit of readily locating a conductor. in the lower seat section 10 for engagement b the upper seat section 13 of the cap mem er 12, as hereinafter explained.

The insulator, consisting of the portions 7 and 12, may be made or molded as an integral structure, or these members may be formed separately and joined so as to provide the wall 11 for supporting the cap portion 12 from the base portion 7, as de scribed, the upper conductor seat section being at all times in registering position with the lower conductor seat section 10.

In carrying the objects of my invention into effect, I have found it preferable to form the insulator of porcelain or other frangible material. though it is obvious that it may be made of any suitable, yieldable or non-yieldable insulating material which will permit of the movement of the cap portion 12 toward the base portion 7 to clamp the conductor therebetween in the manner hereinafter described.

Assuming that the insulator is formed of porcelain or glass. the attaching device which may be a nail. as shown at 14, or a screw, as indicated at 17), having a washer 15 of 21 preferably yieldable material positioned in contact with the head thereon, is located in amaze the central apertures 9 and 16 of the base and capportions 7 and 12, respectively. To prevent the accidental removal of the attaching means, a suitable stop wider than the diameter of the apertures f) and 16 in the base and cap portions 7 and 12. respectively, is located upon or associated with the shank of the said means. This stop may take the form of the wings 17 formed by flattening out the material of the shank of the nail, as shown in Fig. 3. or maybe a washer, as indicated at 18, which is held in frictional engagement-with the shank of the nail or' screw. The insulator, including the attaching device secured against accidental removal therefrom, is preferably distributed as a single unit ready for installation.

To install and function the insulator, the base portion 7 is placed upon the supportin surface, and the attaching device engaged therewith in the customary manner to permit of the location of the conductor between the base and cap portions for engagement by the semi-annular grooves 10 and 13, respectively. The inclination of the cap portion relatively to the base portion of the insulator )ermits the user to locate a conductor of t e greatest diameter with which a specific size of insulator is designed to function with the utmost facility.

Following the location of the conductor, the attaching device isdriven home in the supporting surface, the pressure exerted upon the cap portion 12 through the medium of the washer 15 by the movement of the attaching device relative to the cap, resulting in the fracture or breakage of the Wall of joindcr 11. This permits the cap to engage and cooperate with the base portion to clamp the conductor therebetween inthe customary manner, as shown in Fig. 3, the conductor being indicated by the reference numeral 19. i

From the foregoing, it will be observed that where a frangible material is used, the fracture or breakage of the Wall of joinder 1.1 separates the cap portion of the insulator from the base portion thereof, so that all of the advantages of the well known two-piece knob insulator are retained. Furthermore, positive registry of the semi-annular grooves in the base and cap portions which form the conductor seat. with the conductor, is assured. so that the insulator and the conductor may be installed in a minimum amount of time. t

If the insulator is made of other than a frangible material, obviously the wall 11?.wi1l buckle or yield to an extent under the pressure exerted thereon by the driving home of the attaching means to permit the cap 12 to,

approach the base portion 7 and effect the clamping of the conductor therebetween with the same force and effect as would be obtained by a two-piece knob or a knob of frangible material made in accordance with my invention. A further advantage of making the insulator of a yield-able material re, sides in the fact that the cap portion 19. will be capable of yielding under pressure in a direction away from the base portion. if. under some conditions of use, it is found necessary to use a particular size of knob for supporting a conductor of a larger diameter than that with which such knob is customarily employed.

In Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, I have shown my invention applied to a knob or insulator of the so-called wedge type. such as disclosed in Letters Patent No. 919.386. issued to me April 27, 1909, the functioning of'the elements of this structure being similar to that described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, with the exception of the surfaces forming the conductor seat which cooperate as described in my said Letters Patent.

While I have described my invention with reference'to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, it is obvious that variouschanges in details of structure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, which is broadly dimetal to an insulator having a base portion and a cap portion joined or connected together in any suitable manner so as to permit of the bodily movement of the cap por tion toward the base portion as and for the purposes described.

I claim:

1. An insulator formed of a frangible material having spaced portions corresponding to the base and cap portions of a twopiece insulator integrally connected by a wall, said wall being adapted to be broken under pressure to separate the portions connected thereby andprovide a two-piece in sulator. I

2. An insulator formed of a frangible material having portions spaced apart to receive a conductor and connected by a wall, said wall being adapted to be broken under pressure to permit of the separation of said portions for clamping the conductor therebetween. w

J 3. A one-piece insulator having a conducfor receiving groove and a wall connecting the portions above and below the groove, said wall being adapted to be broken when the insulator is mounted to form a two-piece insulator.

4. An insulator comprising a base portion and a cap portion connected thereto and spaced therefrom, the connection between said'base portion and said cap portion being capable of being broken upon the application of pressure to said cap portion, to separate the cap portion from the base portion.

5. A one-piece insulator having a conductor, receiving recess formed therein, the por tions forming said recess being connectedmally spaced portions'of the insulator and piece type.

and a cap portion nori-yielda'bly connected thereto and spaced therefromfthe opposed surfaces of each of said portions being provided with semi-annular grooves adaptedto register to form a conductor seat, an attachingdevice passing through said cap and said base portions, respectively, the functioning of said attaching device operating to apply pressureupon said cap portion tobreaklthe connectionbetween the base and cap por-' tions to permit of thebodily movement of the cap toward the base portion'to'clamp th conductor in the seat thus formed. I

7. A one-piece knob insulator having por- I tions corresponding tothe base and ca portions of a two-piece knob insulator, sai portions being connected by a wall formed in= tegral therewith to maintain said portions of the insulator in a fixed spaced relation to receive a conductor, said wall being capable of being broken to effect the separationof said insulator portions and provide a two-piece insulator of the knob type.

8. An insulator comprisingabase port1on and a cap portion having anon-yielding con nection therewith, said cap portion being separable from the base portion'by the destruction of said connection, whereby said insulator is adapted to function 'as-a twopiece insulator in supporting a conductor;

9. An'insul ator comprising a base portion and an integral cap portion spaced therefrom to form a conductor receiving groove,

saidcap portion upon the application of pressure thereto being separable from said base portion to cooperate with the latter to clamp a conductor therebetween.

10. An insulator having a baseportion formed with a conductor-receiving groove, a cap portion having a conductor-receiving groove adapted to register with said firstnamed groove, integral means of connection between said capportion andsaidbase portion maintaining said grooves in co-o era-- tive' alignment, the opposed surfaces 0 Stud base and cap portions being spaced from each other to permit of the location of a conductor between said grooves, and means for attaching said insulator to a support and applying pressure to said cap during the attaching operation to separate said ca from said base portion to cooperate wit 11. An insulator of, frangible material spaced said base portionto support a, conductor ther'ebetween in the usual manner. a by an integral wall which is adapted to be broken to effect the separation of the nor-= comprising a base-portionandacap portion formed integral". therewith and thereby provide an insulator of the twotherefrom to permit ofwthe -location of a I I a I conductor between said base, and cap porv 6. An insulator comprising a base portion:

tions respectively, saidrcapportionbeing capable of separation from, said base ,por-

manner to support, a, conductor. 12. An, insulatortormed. .of

ble' of being broken, toseparate: said cap portion-fromsaid base portion to,provide a 5 two-piece insulator. v i

18. A one-plece insulator. formed of frank gible material, comprising a base portion and a cap portion spaced therefrom, the opposed surfaces ofsaid base and cap portions respectively being provided with grooves adapted .to register tosform a conductor seat, an.-attaching device passing through said insulator a nd having a surface .in contact withflthe icapv portion; thereof and means associated with said attaching device to pre-,

vent its removal from, said insulator, the

functioning of said attaching device being,

adapted to eifect thesepara'tion ofthecap portion'from the base portion of the insula; tor to clamp a conductor in the seat provided by said members in theusual mannen,

. 14; A one-pieceinsulator having portions corresponding to tliecapand base of a. two-H pieeei sulator, said-portions being inonyieldab ytconnected and spaced apart to revceive a conductor, and means extending through the insulator for attaching thesamei to a suitable support, the connection between,

said-base and cap portions being adapted to be broken under pressure applied to said cap portion, whereby said: .insulator will,

function as a two piece insulator.

15. A one-piece insulator formed of; non? conducting v material having portions icorref' sponding to the base and cap ofa vtwo-piece insulator, said portionsbeing normall held, in spaced relation to receive a con uctor,

and attaching means passing through said insulator for securing the same to a suitable support, said cap portionbeing se arablev from the base portion upon the app ication of pressure to t e former to clamp a conducfor between the said cap andfbase portions;

FEanINAN DisoHAuB.

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